One Piece : Rise of Thunder King

You can read the advance chapters here : patreon.com/Vigilante04

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"Momonosuke-sama, Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Raizo! What are you doing...!?" The voices of Duke Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were filled with shock.

Despite this, Momonosuke and his retainers ignored their reaction.

Since Momonosuke was still a child, Kin'emon, his loyal protector, spoke on their behalf.

"Lord Arthur, in front of you stands Momonosuke Kozuki of the Wano Country, heir of the Kozuki Family! You probably already know who we are, even though Lady Toki never explained how you came to learn our identities.

In just a few words, it became clear that you will be a great figure in the future."

"Therefore, in the future that Lady Toki foresaw, the only way for us to achieve our hopes and work toward a brighter future is to follow you and become your retainers!" Kin'emon's words carried weight, leaving everyone present stunned.

Even Arthur was momentarily taken aback.

Thud!

Arthur suddenly stood up, his gaze fixed on the group kneeling before him. His voice trembled slightly, "A great figure?"

"Yes, Lord Arthur! Please accept the Kozuki Family and us as your retainers!" Kin'emon respectfully replied.

"Retainers..." The chair behind Arthur moved on its own, sliding beneath him as he sat down once more, deep in thought.

After a long moment of contemplation, Arthur spoke. According to his plans for the future, his family would hold a unique role, and having retainers seemed unnecessary.

"I'm sorry, but I don't need retainers. I can't trust such a relationship of surrender," Arthur said, shaking his head slightly with a hint of regret.

"What? Rejected..." Duke Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, still reeling from their earlier shock, were stunned once more. The Kozuki Family's offer of allegiance was turned down!?

"Is that so..." Kin'emon, still kneeling, seemed almost relieved as he rose to his feet. Momonosuke and the others followed suit, kneeling upright.

"As Lady Toki predicted, you do not trust such a bond," Kin'emon noted, unsurprised.

"Hmm?" Arthur frowned.

Few could understand the discomfort of knowing their words and actions in advance—a deeply unsettling feeling, especially for someone like Arthur.

After a pause, Kin'emon spoke again. "There's no need to be upset. We know only a small portion about you. Even though we don't fully understand Lady Toki's words, what she said after meeting you was all with your approval."

"Huh?" Everyone, including Arthur, was confused.

Seeing their confusion, Kin'emon continued, "Since you do not wish to accept us as retainers of the Kozuki Family, we request an alliance. We pledge to follow your lead, on your terms!"

The four rose to their feet.

Thump, thump.

Momonosuke approached Arthur and, under his questioning gaze, produced a jade pendant and a letter marked with the Yatappe Crow emblem. The jade pendant was only half.

"If you agree to an alliance, then my younger sister, Kozuki Hiyori, will marry you. She holds the other half of this pendant, and this letter is the marriage contract," Momonosuke said with all the seriousness his young face could muster.

Though just a child, even Arthur could sense his resolve. Like father, like son.

"Your sister, Kozuki Hiyori?" Arthur asked, surprised.

"Yes!" Momonosuke nodded firmly. "My mother said my sister is now 23 years old and the most beautiful woman in Wano Country. You would not be disadvantaged by marrying her, nor would she be mistreated."

"Heh..." Arthur couldn't help but chuckle. The thought of securing an alliance and achieving other goals seemed to align perfectly.

He had come to the Mokomo Dukedom with the intention of building alliances, and now an unexpected opportunity had presented itself. Even the idea of marrying Kozuki Hiyori had crossed his mind.

Kozuki Hiyori was considered one of the most beautiful women in the world of One Piece. As a king with grand ambitions, it was hard to overlook such a proposal.

Arthur's eyes lingered on Momonosuke, who stood clad in a pink kimono. Becoming the young boy's brother-in-law was an unusual thought.

"I didn't expect my mission to the Mokomo Dukedom to go so smoothly!" Arthur remarked, picking up the jade pendant but leaving the letter untouched.

"However, before confirming an alliance, I need to know: how far are you willing to go by following my lead?"

This was a crucial question for Arthur, as it could alter his plans.

"As long as it isn't meaningless sacrifice, we will obey any command!" Kin'emon answered firmly.

"Really? You can do that?" Arthur asked, surprised, before nodding in satisfaction.

Though the terms of the alliance suggested equality, the reality seemed closer to submission—a situation Arthur found reassuring.

Building genuine relationships often involves time and a willingness to trust. When someone makes this kind of effort, it shows their sincerity. Otherwise, they wouldn't bother.

"Alright, I accept the alliance!" Arthur said, taking the marriage proposal Momonosuke handed him.

Rip.

Arthur opened the envelope, took out the letter, and read it. It contained details about Kozuki Hiyori's birthdate and other personal information. There was also a note expressing a desire for a lasting bond.

After reading, Arthur folded the letter, put it back in the envelope, and tucked it away.

"So, Duke Inuarashi and Master Nekomamushi, what do you think?" Arthur asked, turning to the two leaders of Zou.

The Mokomo Dukedom has great potential. If developed, it could become a powerful ally. Similarly, if Wano is unified with his help, it would soon become a formidable force under his command.

The two leaders, surprised by all this, exchanged glances. They understood that much had happened recently, including events they had been warned about, and that these moments would shape the future.

"Since Momonosuke has allied with you," Duke Inuarashi said, "it is only right, as loyal retainers of the Kozuki Clan and the Mokomo Dukedom, that we join this alliance as well. We recognize you as our leader!"

"Garchu! Garchu!" laughed Nekomamushi, expressing agreement.

"Lord Arthur," Momonosuke asked eagerly, "when will we attack Kaido and free Wano Country?"

Arthur furrowed his brow. "Not now. We aren't ready yet. There are things I need to prepare first. But within three to five years, I promise Kaido will be driven out of Wano, and Orochi will fall!"

"But…" Momonosuke began, but Kin'emon intervened. "Young Master, please. Until you grow stronger, I will handle most matters with Lord Arthur."

"This… Okay," Momonosuke said reluctantly, nodding.

"Thank you, Lord Arthur," Kin'emon said. "I'm sure you understand Momonosuke's impatience. His homeland and family were destroyed."

Arthur nodded. "It's understandable. But for now, I need time to set plans in motion. We must be ready before facing Kaido."

"Understood," Kin'emon replied.

"So, for now, this alliance must remain secret. It's the year 1521 of the Sea Calendar, and the last World Summit just happened."

Arthur noticed the puzzled expressions on Kin'emon and the others. He realized Wano's isolation meant they had no knowledge of such events.

"The World Summit is a gathering of all member nations of the World Government," Arthur explained.

"I see," Kin'emon said.

"The next Summit will be in 1524. By then, I will have dealt with Kaido and Orochi!" Arthur promised.

"We understand. Until then, for Lord Momonosuke's safety, we will hide in Zou," Kin'emon said, turning to the others.

"Leave it to us! Garchu!" Nekomamushi declared.

"You have our word. Momonosuke-sama will be safe!" added Duke Inuarashi.

"Good. When my plans are ready, I'll uphold our alliance," Arthur said confidently.

Having read the original story, he knew the unbreakable loyalty of Inuarashi and Nekomamushi. He had no doubts about their commitment to protecting Momonosuke.

"Master Arthur, here is another letter from the Lady," Kin'emon said, handing over a sealed note.

"Oh?" Arthur opened it, noticing the hurried but elegant handwriting addressed to him as 'Prince Arthur.'

[End note clarifying extra context: The chapters contained significant plot developments and foreshadowing regarding the events of Zou and Momonosuke. Readers are advised not to skip these details.]